City services and facilities during lockdown

Following the announcement by Premier Mark McGowan yesterday that the Perth metropolitan area and Peel and South West regions are in a five-day lockdown, the City has suspended all non-essential services until 6pm on Friday 5 February.

The City’s priority is the health and wellbeing of our employees and the community during this period of uncertainty, as well as continuing to deliver essential services where we can.

Prior to lockdown, the City had a pre-prepared COVID-19 Second Wave Plan that enabled a clear, immediate response to the lockdown and also identifies a range of key actions should the lockdown be extended.

During lockdown, the City will continue to offer these essential services for the community:

• Domestic kerbside bin collection
• Ranger and security services
• Beach patrol services
• Customer contact centre (phone only)
• Aged care services (including Meals on Wheels, personal care and emergency transport only)
• Crisis accommodation
• Reactive road, building and parks maintenance
• Building inspections.

Any services outside of this list will not be operating during lockdown.

City employees have adopted strict COVID-19 workplace practices, including the wearing of masks and physical distancing.

In line with the State Government advice, the following City facilities and services are suspended during the lockdown period:

• The City’s Administration Centre is closed although the Customer Contact Centre remains available via phone (9205 8555) or the City’s website 
• All City libraries are closed (Osborne Park, Mirrabooka, Dianella, Inglewood, Karrinyup and Scarborough)
• All of the City’s leisure centres are closed (Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre, Leisurepark Balga, Hamersley, Herb Graham Mirrabooka, Scarborough and Scarborough Beach Pool)
• All of the City’s community centres and venues for hire are closed 
• All City events are cancelled, including events and bookings at our facilities 
• Playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment, fenced dog parks and skate parks are closed
• Committee meetings have been suspended until further notice (including the Planning and Development Meeting on Tuesday 2 February) and reports that were due to be considered at that meeting will now be presented to the next Council Meeting
• The Special Elector’s Meeting for Wednesday 3 February has been vacated and the Mayor will determine the rescheduled date after consultation with the lead petitioners 
• The City will provide an update later this week on meetings that are due to occur next week, including the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 9 February
• The Containers for Change Refund Centre at 257 Balcatta Road is closed
• On-demand services (skip bins, mattress, white goods and e-waste collections) have been suspended this week. The booking system has also been temporarily suspended to allow the City and its contractor to manage the re-booking process
• The Recycling Centre Balcatta is only available for commercial disposal services
• Green waste verge collection services have been suspended.

The City will continue to closely monitor State Government advice and communicate information regularly through our Facebook page and COVID-19 webpage as the situation develops.

Mayor Mark Irwin acknowledged yesterday’s news had caused uncertainty and concern among the community.

“I’d like to reassure our community that the City is here to help and deliver essential services to support our residents, ratepayers and businesses wherever we can. I’d also like to remind everyone to stay safe, look after one another and only leave the house for essential reasons.

“If you must leave the house for one of the four essential reasons, wear a mask, always use the SafeWA App or contact registers, stay in your neighbourhood and consider supporting an independent small business.

“With no new COVID-19 cases being reported as at 1pm today and positive feedback around the number of people wearing masks, I’d like to thank everyone who is doing the right thing. Your support and cooperation will provide the best chance of fighting the virus and keeping our community safe.”

To keep your mind and body active and healthy, the City has a range of services you can access from the comfort and safety of your home, including our At Home Wellness video series and our extensive digital library.

Useful links:
WA Government COVID-19 updates
Healthy WA website
Safe WA app